JP2003037805A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a more user-friendly camera by improving a storage system for image data. SOLUTION: In this camera, image data obtained by photographing can be stored in folders according to a preset photographing mode without designating the folders by a user, thereby saving labor for photographing compared with normal photographing. Further, since image data files are stored in a folder according to the photographing mode, for example, the user can find that an image data file for the picture of an object (e.g. a flower) photographed at a position close to a digital still camera is stored in a folder under a macro mode. Thus, the user can retrieve the image data files efficiently.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention particularly relates to a camera provided with a storage means capable of storing image data in a folder structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a digital camera, which is a kind of camera used, is provided with a memory for storing image data. Here, it may be said that the image data cannot be efficiently organized by storing the image data in a unified storage area in a storage medium such as a memory card. Therefore, a folder having a multilayer structure is formed in a storage medium, and image data is stored in a specific folder.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a folder structure based on a specific standard, which is formed in a memory of a conventional digital camera. In the figure, a first folder "DCIM" is formed under the root path, and second folders "100KONIC", "10" are formed under the root folder.
1 KONIC "or the like is formed, and the image data is stored in the second folder. The second folder name and the image data file name are automatically generated by combining the fixed characters with serial numbers.

Here, for example, when this folder structure is read out as it is to a personal computer or the like, the folder name or the image data file name does not indicate the content of the image data, so it is possible to know where the specific image data is stored. There is a problem that there is no. On the other hand, since the second folder name may be given an arbitrary name, the image data acquired by the shooting can be changed by the shooting operator by operating the shooting operator. It is also possible to store it in the folder created by. However, there is a problem that it is troublesome to specify a folder for each shooting or newly generate it and store the image data therein.

Further, although the digital camera may be reused by friends and colleagues, if individual image data is stored in the same storage medium, there is a risk that another person may view his or her own image. To solve such a problem, for example, a password is stored in association with specific image data, and when an image is browsed based on such image data, if the password is not input, the corresponding image is browsed. It may be prohibited. However, according to such a method,
You have to remember the password associated with the image,
It takes time to shoot. On the other hand, when browsing an image, it is troublesome if the password has to be entered.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera with improved usability by improving the image data storage system.

[0007]

A camera according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an image pickup means for converting an optical image into image data and outputting the image data.
Depending on the shooting mode setting means for setting the shooting mode and the shooting mode set by the shooting mode setting means,
The image data acquired by photographing has a determining means for determining a storage area for storing the image data output from the image capturing means, and a storing means for storing the image data in the storage area determined by the determining means. Can be stored in a predetermined folder or the like as a storage area according to the set shooting mode without being specified by the photographer, so that it is less troublesome than in normal shooting. On the other hand, since the image data file is stored in the folder corresponding to the shooting mode, for example, in the folder for the macro mode, the image data file for the subject image (for example, a flower) shot at a position close to the camera is stored. Since it is known that the image data is stored, the image data file can be searched efficiently. Here, the "shooting mode" refers to various shooting-related modes such as flash firing / prohibition, continuous shooting, timer, exposure compensation (sunset, fireworks, etc.). If the folders are subdivided according to the shooting mode in this way, the search of the image data file becomes easier.

The camera of the second aspect of the present invention comprises an image pickup means for converting an optical image into image data and outputting the image data, and the date information.
The image data acquired by photographing has a determining means for determining a storage area for storing the image data output from the image capturing means, and a storing means for storing the image data in the storage area determined by the determining means. Can be stored in a predetermined folder or the like as a storage area according to the date information regarding the shooting date without being specified by the photographer, so that it is less troublesome than in normal shooting. On the other hand, since the image data files are stored in the folders corresponding to the dates, for example, if the shooting date (the date of the athletic meet etc.) is known, the corresponding image data files will be stored in the folders corresponding to the dates. The image data file can be searched efficiently.

Further, it is preferable that the deciding means decides a name of a storage area for storing the image data output from the image pickup means, based on the date of photographing. here,
The name of the storage area refers to, for example, a folder name, and it is particularly preferable that the folder name includes information regarding the shooting date.

The camera of the third aspect of the present invention comprises an image pickup means for converting an optical image into image data and outputting the image data, an authentication means for performing authentication using the identification information of the photographer, and a photographer authenticated by the authentication means. According to the determining means for determining a storage area for storing the image data output from the image pickup means,
Since the image data acquired by the photographing is obtained by the authentication unit having the memory unit that stores the image data in the memory area determined by the determination unit, the authentication unit performs authentication using the identification information of the photographer. Since it can be stored in a predetermined folder or the like as a storage area without being specified by the photographer, it does not take much time compared to normal photographing. Further, by such processing, the image data acquired by the photographing without the authentication is stored in another folder, and the individual processing can be performed for each folder. The identification information is a fingerprint, an iris pattern,
Examples include, but are not limited to, voiceprints, blood vessel patterns, and passwords.

Further, it is preferable that the deciding means decides a specific folder included in the folder structure formed in the storage means and stores image data with a predetermined file name in the decided folder.

If the file name can be changed,
This is preferable because the image data file can be identified in more detail.

The camera of the fourth aspect of the present invention authenticates by associating the storage means for storing the authentication data and the image data in association with each other and the authentication data stored in the storage means with the identification information of the operator. Authentication means for performing, and a reading means for reading image data corresponding to the authentication data when the authentication means has been authenticated, and a display for displaying an image based on the image data read by the reading means. Since it has the means, the person who is not authenticated by the authentication means cannot read the image data that needs to be authenticated, and therefore the image data is not displayed by the display means, so that the privacy can be protected.

Further, the image data is stored for each folder formed in the storage means, and when the authentication is performed by the authentication means, the image data of the folder corresponding to the authentication data can be read. It is preferable that

The camera of the fifth aspect of the present invention comprises an image pickup means for converting an optical image into image data and outputting the image data, and an image quality mode setting means for setting at least one of an image size and a compression rate.
A determining unit that determines a storage area for storing the image data output from the image capturing unit according to at least one of the image size and the compression rate set by the image quality mode setting unit, and the storage determined by the determining unit. Since the area has storage means for storing image data, for example, 5
By storing image data with a relatively high image quality of 0,000 pixels or more in a high image quality folder, the image data stored in the high image quality folder can be automatically sent to an external printer to form a print. It will be possible. On the other hand, for example, 5
By storing image data of relatively low image quality of less than 0,000 pixels in a low image quality folder, it can be used for applications such as mail attachment. In this way, it is convenient to use different folders for storing image data according to the purpose because different processing can be performed for each folder.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital still camera which is an example of a camera according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, a CCD 2 which is an image pickup means in which an optical image is formed on a light receiving surface by a taking lens 1 performs so-called photoelectric conversion for outputting an analog signal corresponding to the optical image, and an A / D conversion circuit. Reference numeral 3 is for converting an analog signal input from the CCD 2 into a digital signal and outputting the digital signal. In the A / D conversion circuit 3 according to the present embodiment, it is assumed that the higher the intensity of the light incident on the photoelectric conversion means 2 is, the larger the digital signal is converted. The image data obtained via the A / D conversion circuit 3 is temporarily stored in the image memory 4.

The image data stored in the image memory 4 is subjected to various kinds of image processing by the MPU 5 which is a processing means, and finally, the nonvolatile memory 6 (memory means) connected to the MPU 5 such as a memory card. ).
The MPU 5 receives power from a power source 7 such as a built-in battery, and can communicate with an external network (not shown) via an interface device 8. Also, MP
The U5 starts its operation when the power switch 16 is turned on, receives a release signal from the release button 10, and drives a shutter device (not shown) to perform photographing. Further, the MPU 5 drives and controls the image display device 9 such as a liquid crystal monitor to display an image. The image display device 9 is preferably a touch panel type display, and can input character data.

Further, the MPU 5 can acquire information on the subject brightness based on the image signal from the CCD 2, and can operate the actuator 12 to control the opening amount (that is, the exposure amount) of the diaphragm 11. Furthermore, MPU5
The emission timing of the irradiation light emitted from the strobe device 13 can be controlled. Also, MP
U5 is a mode switch 15 which is a photographing mode setting means.
In response to the, various shooting modes can be selected. In addition, the MPU 5 is adapted to receive the radix system which is output when the iris detector 14 provided in a finder (not shown) discriminates the iris of a person who looks into it. The MPU 5 constitutes the determining means and the authenticating means.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 shows a file structure formed in the nonvolatile memory 6 of the digital still camera according to this embodiment. First, the case where image data is stored in a predetermined folder according to the set shooting mode will be described. First, a folder corresponding to the shooting mode is formed in the non-volatile memory 6. The MPU 5 can change the photographing mode according to the operation of the mode switch 15.

Here, when the photographer sets the macro mode as the photographing mode and presses the release button 10, immediately after that, the image data acquired through the CCD 2 is subjected to various image processing, and the nonvolatile memory is used. 6 is stored in the folder “100MACRO” in which image data shot in the macro mode should be stored. On the other hand, when the photographer presses the release button 10 after setting the flash mode or the timer mode, the obtained image data is stored in the folders “100FLSON” and “100TIMER”. These folders are the folder "DCI
M ”, which is arranged in advance under the non-volatile memory 6
It may be formed when the shooting mode is first selected after the insertion. Here, the file name of the image data stored by default is, for example, “IMG0000
1. You can take the serial numbers from "jpg". However, the file name can be changed further.

FIG. 3 is an example of a display screen on the image display device 9, showing a file name changeable screen. In FIG. 3, when changing the “IMG00001.jpg” file name, read it out at the top of the screen,
By moving the cursor C, selecting the character to be changed, and pressing the ten-key K, the character can be replaced with an arbitrary character. Here, the state is being changed to "HAN00001.jpg". The input of characters using the ten-key pad may be similar to the mode of inputting characters using the ten-key pad of a mobile phone, for example. Although the file name can be changed theoretically except for the extension, the last three digits may not be changed so that the file name can be used.

Next, an embodiment in which image data is stored in a predetermined folder based on the date will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a folder structure according to this embodiment. Here, when the photographer presses the release button 10,
Based on the internal clock, MPU5 is currently 200 AD
It is determined that it is July 1, 1st year, and a folder "10007011" is created. Here, the folder name is 8 digits in total, and the first 3 digits are the serial number of the folder.
The last 5 digits are assigned to the shooting date. That is, 0701
1 represents the month, day, and year (the last digit of the year).
A folder is formed in a similar manner every time the shooting date is different. Since only the last digit can be used in the Christian era, 10
There is a possibility that a folder with the same name will be formed over the years, but it is unlikely to cause confusion because it is rare.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image data acquired by photographing is not specified by the photographer, and a predetermined folder as a storage area is set according to the set photographing mode or photographing date. Since it can be stored in a memory, etc., it does not take much time compared to normal shooting. On the other hand, since the image data file is stored in the folder corresponding to the shooting mode or the shooting date, the image data file can be searched efficiently.

Next, an embodiment in which image data is stored in a predetermined folder based on the photographer's identification information will be described. As an example of the photographer's identification information, an iris pattern will be described here. However, the photographer's identification information is not limited to fingerprints, voice prints, blood vessel patterns, passwords, and normal shooting operations. There are special operations and the like, and if these are stored in advance, the photographer can be authenticated. here,
It is necessary to register the photographer. When an unregistered photographer looks through a viewfinder (not shown), the iris detector 14 becomes
The photographer's iris pattern is detected and transmitted to the MPU 5. The MPU 5 remembers the iris pattern and
Registration is completed by creating a folder unique to the photographer in the folder structure formed in the nonvolatile memory 6. Here, the created folder name may be changed by the photographer.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the photographing operation of the digital still camera according to the present embodiment.
In step S101 of FIG. 5, the iris detector 14 detects the iris pattern of the photographer looking through a viewfinder (not shown), and the MPU
5 is compared with the stored iris pattern. If the patterns match, it is determined that the photographer is registered,
The process proceeds to step 102, and if they do not match, it is determined that the photographer is not registered, and the process proceeds to step 105.

When the process proceeds to step 102, MPU5
Waits for the photographer to press the release button 10, and in response to the release button 10 being pressed, step S
The image is taken at 103. The image data obtained thereby is stored in a unique folder created in advance in accordance with the photographer in step S104. The image data stored in the unique folder can be browsed and called only when described later.

On the other hand, if the process proceeds to step 105, MP
U5 waits for the photographer to press the release button 10,
In response to the release button 10 being pressed, photographing is performed in step S106. The image data obtained thereby is stored in a general folder in step S107. It should be noted that after proceeding to step S105, a new folder can be created based on the new iris pattern. The image data stored in a general folder can be arbitrarily viewed and called.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the image display operation of the digital still camera according to this embodiment. After waiting for the image display mode to be set in step S201 of FIG. 6, in step S202, the iris detector 14 detects the iris pattern of the photographer looking through a finder (not shown), and the MPU 5 stores the stored iris. Compare with the pattern.
If the patterns match, the process proceeds to step 203, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step 204.

When the process proceeds to step S203, the MPU 5 which is the calling means determines that the photographer who has performed the photographing desires to display the image, accesses the folder specific to the photographer, and displays the image in step S205. The data is read out and the image is displayed on the image display device 9 in step S206.

On the other hand, if the process proceeds to step S204,
The MPU 5 determines that the photographer who took the photograph does not want to display the image, accesses the general folder that can be browsed,
In step S205, the image data is read out, and in step S
At 206, an image is displayed on the image display device 9.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the authentication is performed at the time of shooting, the image data is stored in the folder unique to the photographer, and when the authentication is performed at the image display mode. Since only the photographer can browse the image data in a unique folder, when one digital still camera is used by a plurality of people, for example, one memory card is owned by each digital still camera. Even when it is used by a plurality of people, the browsing of the images stored in it is restricted, so that the privacy can be protected.

Next, the operation of another embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 shows a file structure formed in the nonvolatile memory 6 of the digital still camera according to this embodiment. Here, the mode switch 15 of FIG. 1 is used as the image quality mode setting means for selecting the image quality mode. First, a case where image data is stored in a predetermined folder according to the set image quality mode (fine, normal, VGA) will be described. First, a folder corresponding to the shooting mode is formed in the non-volatile memory 6.

Here, the photographer sets the fine or normal mode as the image quality mode, and the release button 1
When the user presses 0, the image data acquired via the CCD 2 immediately after that is subjected to various image processing, formed in the non-volatile memory 6, and the image data taken in the fine or normal mode should be stored. Folder "100HI
QLT ”. On the other hand, when the photographer presses the release button 10 after setting the VGA mode, the obtained image data is stored in the folder “100LOQLT”. These folders are arranged in advance under the folder “DCIM”, but they may be formed when the shooting mode is first selected after the nonvolatile memory 6 is inserted. Here, the file name of the image data stored by default is, for example, “IMG00001.jp”.
You can take the serial numbers from "g". However, the file name can be changed further.

According to the present embodiment, the image data of relatively high quality taken in the fine mode or the normal mode is stored in the folder "100HIQLT" so that, for example, when printing is performed, the images stored in this folder are stored. You can automatically send data to an external printer,
Thereby, it is possible to form a high quality print. On the other hand, for example, image data of relatively low image quality in the VGA mode can be used for mail attachment or the like by storing it in the folder “100LOQLT”. In this way, it is convenient to use different folders for storing image data according to the purpose because different processing can be performed for each folder. In the present embodiment, the folder is determined according to the image quality mode, but it is sufficient to determine the folder according to at least one of the image size and the compression rate.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the exemplary embodiments, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, but it goes without saying that appropriate modifications and improvements are possible. is there.

[0036]

According to the present invention, by improving the image data storage system, it is possible to provide a camera with better usability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital still camera according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a file structure formed in a nonvolatile memory 6 of the digital still camera according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an example of a display screen of the image display device 9,
It is the figure which showed the file name changeable screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a folder structure according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a shooting operation of the digital still camera according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an image display operation of the digital still camera according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a folder structure formed in a memory of a digital camera according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a file structure formed in the nonvolatile memory 6 of the digital still camera according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Shooting lens 2 CCD 3 A / D conversion circuit 4 image memory 5 MPU 6 Non-volatile memory 7 power supply (battery) 8 Interface device 9 Image display device (LCD) 10 Release button 11 aperture 12 actuators 13 Strobe 14 Iris detector 15 Mode switch 16 power switch

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/91 H04N 5/91 J F term (reference) 5B017 AA07 BA05 CA16 5B082 EA01 EA09 GA11 5C022 AA13 AB03 AB15 AB40 AC03 AC32 AC42 AC73 5C052 AA12 AA17 AB04 AC08 CC11 GA02 GA05 GA08 GB10 GC05 GD03 GE08 5C053 FA08 FA27 GB28 GB36 KA24 LA03

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for converting an optical image into image data and outputting the image data, a photographing mode setting means for setting a photographing mode, and an output from the image pickup means according to the photographing mode set by the photographing mode setting means. A camera, comprising: a determination unit that determines a storage area for storing the image data that has been stored, and a storage unit that stores the image data in the storage region that has been determined by the determination unit. 2. An image pickup means for converting an optical image into image data and outputting the image data, a deciding means for deciding a storage area for storing the image data outputted by the image pickup means according to date information, and the deciding means. A camera having storage means for storing image data in the determined storage area. 3. The deciding means decides a name of a storage area for storing the image data output from the image pickup means, based on a shooting date.
The camera described in. 4. An image pickup unit for converting an optical image into image data and outputting the image data, an authentication unit for performing authentication using identification information of the photographer, and the image pickup unit according to the photographer authenticated by the authentication unit. A camera comprising: a determination unit that determines a storage area for storing the image data output by the output unit; and a storage unit that stores the image data in the storage area determined by the determination unit. 5. The determining unit determines a specific folder included in a folder structure formed in the storage unit,
5. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the determined folder stores image data with a predetermined file name. 6. The camera according to claim 5, wherein the file name is changeable. 7. A storage unit that stores authentication data and image data in association with each other; an authentication unit that performs authentication by associating the authentication data stored in the storage unit with identification information of an operator; When the authentication is performed by the authentication unit, it has a reading unit for reading the image data corresponding to the authentication data, and a display unit for displaying an image based on the image data read by the reading unit. And the camera. 8. The image data is stored for each folder formed in the storage means, and when the authentication means authenticates, the image data of the folder corresponding to the authentication data can be read. The camera according to claim 7, wherein 9. An image pickup means for converting an optical image into image data and outputting the image data, an image quality mode setting means for setting at least one of an image size and a compression rate, and an image size and a compression rate set by the image quality mode setting means. According to at least one of the above, the image forming device further comprises: a determining unit that determines a storage area for storing the image data output from the image capturing unit; and a storage unit that stores the image data in the storage area determined by the determining unit. Characteristic camera.